Operation Shoestring does not meet the following 3 Standards for Charity Accountability:
Standard 6 (Board Policy on Effectiveness)
Have a board policy of assessing, no less than every two years, the organization's performance and effectiveness and of determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Operation Shoestring does not meet this Standard because:
- The board of directors does not have a written policy stating that, at least every two years, an appraisal be done assessing the organization?s performance and effectiveness and determining future actions required to achieve its mission.
Standard 7 (Board Approval of Written Report on Effectiveness)
Submit to the organization's governing body, for its approval, a written report that outlines the results of the aforementioned performance and effectiveness assessment and recommendations for future actions.
Operation Shoestring does not meet this Standard because:
- The organization has not completed an effectiveness assessment in the last two years.
Standard 18 (Privacy for Written Appeals & Internet Privacy)
Address privacy concerns of donors by (a) providing in written appeals, at least annually, a means (e.g., such as a check off box) for both new and continuing donors to inform the charity if they do not want their name and address shared outside the organization, (b) providing a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.
Operation Shoestring does not meet this Standard because the privacy policy on the organization's website, https://operationshoestring.org, does not indicate:
- What personal information is being collected and how it will be used.
- How to contact the charity to review personal information that is collected and request corrections.
- What security measures are in place to protect personal information that is collected.
Operation Shoestring meets the remaining 17 Standards for Charity Accountability.
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Year, State Incorporated
1969, MS
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Stated Purpose
"to invest in the hearts and minds of our children and their families to promote health and self-sufficiency, and faithfully extend the hand of hope and opportunity to empower the needy, uplift our target neighborhoods and the larger community, and brighten the future for us all."
Operation Shoestring reports that it offers year-round academic, social, and emotional support to children in central Jackson, MS from preschool to 12th grade. The organization offers afterschool and summer programs, a youth civic engagement and leadership program, family support services, community outreach, and college and career-readiness training. Operation Shoestring states that it partners with local businesses, non-profits, and other resource organizations to support families and provide essential social services to the community at-large.
For the year ended September 30, 2018, Operation Shoestring's program expenses were:
| Program services |
$1,030,495 |
| Total Program Expenses: |
$1,030,495 |
*2017 compensation includes annual salary and, if applicable, benefit plans, expense accounts, and other allowances.
Method(s) Used:
Direct mail appeals, Grant proposals, Internet, Invitations to fund raising events, Planned giving arrangements, Print advertisements (newspapers, magazines, etc.), Radio
Fundraising costs were 5% of related contributions. (Related contributions, which totaled $2,578,473 are donations received as a result of fundraising activities.)
This organization is tax-exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.It is eligible to receive contributions deductible as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
The following information is based on Operation Shoestring's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2018.
| Source of Funds |
| Contributions |
$1,423,059 |
| Grants and contracts |
$1,155,414 |
| Interest and dividends |
$31,381 |
| Rental income |
$30,000 |
| Fee income |
$9,750 |
| Loss on sale of investments |
($70) |
| Total Income |
$2,649,534 |
- Programs: 80%
- Administrative: 11%
- Fundraising: 9%
| Total Income |
$2,649,534 |
| Program expenses |
$1,030,495 |
| Fundraising expenses |
$123,199 |
| Administrative expenses |
$147,267 |
| Other expenses |
$0 |
| Total expenses: |
$1,300,961 |
| Income in Excess of Expenses |
$1,348,573 |
| Beginning Net Assets |
$1,704,298 |
| Other Changes In Net Assets |
$0 |
| Ending Net Assets |
$3,052,871 |
| Total Liabilities |
$308,177 |
| Total Assets |
$3,361,048 |
Note: According to Operation Shoestring's audited financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2018, the organization received $11,000 in the use of donated facilities.